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The Best $1500 High-End Gaming PC Build – December 2024

The Best $1500 High-End Gaming PC Build – December 2024

By Ari Altman | Published December 8, 2024 | Updated December 8, 2024

Antec AX90Your Ticket to High-End Gaming!

Do you want to build the best high-end gaming PC possible for $1,500? Then you’ve come to the right place! The build we profile here offers the best balance of CPU and GPU power you’ll find in any build on the ‘Net, along with high-end yet cost-effective parts in every other category. The goal: maximum frames per dollar without skimping on the stuff everyone else does, like a quality power supply and a big solid-state drive. The last thing you want is a hot rod engine in an old beater chassis, so we make sure your gaming PC build checks off all the boxes!

This Month’s Build, Powered by AMD and Nvidia!

For December 2024, the $1,500 High-End Gaming PC Build continues to features the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X eight-core CPU, a proven gaming processor at a great price. Despite the launch of the 9700X, the 7700X remains the clear choice for this build thanks to its nearly identical performance and much lower price. It will have no trouble making the most out of the best GPU ever released under $600, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB. While we previously suggested a six-core processor in this build, the latest gaming benchmarks suggest it’s finally time to make an 8-core the standard for high-end gaming. The combo of the 7700X and RTX 4070 Super will truly rip through resolutions up to 1440p.

But this build is about more than just a mighty CPU and GPU. It’s also equipped with 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM and  a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 drive. The system is built up in a high-airflow case from Antec, anchored by a Gold-rated 650W power supply, and cooled by a powerful 120mm tower cooler.

Parting Thoughts

If you want to accessorize your new build, check out our top keyboard, mouse, and monitor recommendations at the end of this build guide. We update this build monthly, as prices and components in this market change quite frequently, and a few dollars here or there could buy you a lot of performance. Throughout our guides, we provide links to Amazon for our US readers, which will auto-convert for readers in Canada, the UK, and parts of the EU, with substitutions made based on regional availability. Your use of these links helps support this site, allowing us to continue to update this guide regularly.

The Pre-Built Option

  • Slate 8
    Click to Buy
    The High-End Gaming PC –

    iBuyPower Slate 8 14700F/RTX 4070 Super

    $1487
    Equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700F 20-core, 28-thread processor and a GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB GPU, this prebuilt PC is ready to game. Also on the component list is 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB solid-state drive, and built-in WiFi 5 wireless networking.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This pre-built system will provide nearly the same performance as the one we spec out below, and comes ready to go out of the box!

The DIY Build

  • AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
    Click to Buy
    CPU –

    AMD Ryzen 7 7700X

    $269
    Based on AMD’s revolutionary Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 7 7700X is a truly fantastic processor. It has 8 core and 16 threads all running from a single complex for maximum efficiency, with boost up to 5.4GHz. And thanks to a significant price drop since its release, it’s more attractive than ever!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This CPU does not come with a cooler, so make sure to pick up the model we recommend later in this guide.
  • Eagle AX
    Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX

    $160
    This B650 board from Gigabyte allows you to tap into the potential of AMD’s cutting-edge AM5 platform at a great price. You get a potent 12+2+2 power design, a PCIe Gen 4 video card slot, three M.2 slots (one being Gen 5), plus built-in WiFi 6E.

    The Guru’s Tip

    Keep in mind that this motherboard requires DDR5 RAM, which is what is spec'd in this build.
  • Asus RTX 4070 Super
    Click to Buy
    Video Card –

    Asus GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB Dual Evo OC

    $600
    The RTX 4070 Super offers amazing performance and amazing efficiency, surpassing the original 4070 by 15% at the same launch price. This model’s dual-slot, dual-fan cooler with oversized fans will keep temperatures in check and noise levels down, without filling up your system. Plus it has a factory overclock to give it an extra boost.

    The Guru’s Tip

    The 4070 was the clear winner of the GPU wars in 2023, topping every "best of" list, and the 4070 Super takes performance to the next level!
  • Team TForce DDR5-7200
    Click to Buy
    Memory –

    TeamGroup 2x16GB T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO

    $95
    To get the most out of AMD’s latest CPUs, you want fast RAM, and DDR5-6000 is the sweetspot not only in terms of price, but in terms of the AM5 platform. It allows for the highest overall performance thanks to running in 1:1 sync with the memory controller. And this kit from TeamGroup features extraordinary 30-36-36-76 AMD EXPO timings.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This RAM is really at the sweet spot for price-performance on the AMD platform.
  • MP44L
    Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    TeamGroup MP44L 1TB PCIe 4.0

    $55
    The MP44L PCIe 4.0, which blows past previous PCIe Gen3-based drives by harnessing the power of the PCIe Gen4 interface, is an absolute bargain of a high-end drive. It can hit up to 5,000MB/s in sequential operations!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This drive provides plenty of gaming performance at a great price!
  • AX90
    Click to Buy
    Case –

    Antec AX90

    $80
    Antec has been in the PC case business for decades, and arguably released the first dedicated gaming cases back in the mid-2000s. With the AX90, Antec delivers great style and performance at an ultra-low price. Equipped with four retail-grade 120mm ARGB fans plus a mesh front panel, this case offers tremendous airflow along with great looks.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This case really can't be beat for value!
  • Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 650W

    $80
    Thermaltake offers a ton of value in its GF line, and this model is no exception. You get 650W of Gold-rated power, fully-modular cables (including ones for the latest video cards), and a fan that doesn’t even spin at low loads for total silence. The best part: a full 10-year warranty.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This system will pull about 350W at load, so this PSU won't even be stressed!
  • Arctic Freezer 36
    Click to Buy
    CPU Cooler –

    Arctic Freezer 36

    $25
    Arctic’s Freezer line has always punched way above its price class, and the 36 takes it to a whole new level. Featuring dual high-performance P12 fans with hydraulic bearings, it’s both quiet and capable. It uses an innovative click-in fan mounting system to ease installation, and to top it off, the 36 comes with MX-6 thermal paste, some of the best in the business!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This cooler improves upon the venerable freezer 34 by adding a second fan at lower cost!
  • Microsoft Windows 11
    Click to Buy
    Operating System –

    Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg

    $139
    Windows 11 built on everything people loved about Windows 10, and then took it to 11! It adds significant under-the-hood changes to make it faster and more secure, and of course, the interface is sleek too! Note that we’re linking to Newegg, because Amazon long ago stopped selling this physical USB version of Windows, which is the most convenient one to use.

    The Guru’s Tip

    Win11 is definitely what you want to support the latest games on your new PC build!

Optional Products

  • Click to Buy
    The Budget Gaming Keyboard –

    Logitech G213 Gaming Keyboard

    $40
    Pick up a great keyboard at a great price with the G213. It’s quick, quiet, and responsive, and it also has sweet RGB backlighting, of course!

    The Guru’s Tip

    There are a lot of off-brand keyboards that sell for the same price - Logitech is a trusted name that's been making gaming gear for decades!
  • Razer Basilisk V3
    Click to Buy
    The Pro Gaming Mouse –

    Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed Wireless

    $49
    Offering cutting-edge performance, there’s nothing like the Basilisk V3 for anywhere near the price. Ultra-sensitive 18K sensor, mechanical switches, Razer’s awesome HyperSpeed wireless system with up to 285 hours of battery life, and perfect ergonomics. It’s a great mouse!

    The Guru’s Tip

    It's hard to overstate just how much freedom a wireless mouse gives you!
  • Click to Buy
    The 27" 1440p 180Hz Gaming Monitor –

    Acer XV271U

    $179
    Acer has been in the high-end gaming monitor market for years, and always offers out-of-this-world value! This model packs in a big 27″ 2560 x 1440 IPS panel, a whopping 180Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium for ultra-smooth framerates, a Displayport 1.2 port and dual HDMI 2.0 ports, plus built-in speakers. To get it set up just right, it has a height-adjustable stand, unheard of in this price range. It even includes a Displayport and HDMI cables in the box!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This monitor will let you get the most out of your new high-end gaming PC!
  • HyperX Cloud
    Click to Buy
    The Budget Wireless PC Headset –

    HyperX Cloud Stinger Core

    $60
    HyperX absolutely revolutionized the budget gaming headset market with the Stinger series, and the Cloud Stinger Core is its budget wireless offering. It has an ultra-lightweight design, 40mm drivers, and a convenient swing-down mic for better control. With up to 17 hours of battery life, it will go all day and then some!

    The Guru’s Tip

    After a recent price cut, this headset is an unbeatable deal, coming in under the price of competing wired headsets!

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